Henry H. Black | |
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 Sergeant Major Henry H. Blackc. 1975 | |
| Born | (1929-02-09)February 9, 1929 Imperial, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 24, 2012(2012-08-24) (aged 83) Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1948–1977 |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Commands | Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps |
| Battles / wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |
Henry H. Black (February 9, 1929 – August 24, 2012) was aUnited States Marine who served as the 7thSergeant Major of the Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977.
Henry Black was born inImperial, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1929. A high school graduate of Findley High School in 1947, he enlisted in theUnited States Marine Corps on April 12, 1948, and underwent recruit training at theMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He was assigned to the2nd Marine Division atCamp Lejeune, North Carolina after completing boot camp and served with Company C,1st Battalion 8th Marines, and later, with Headquarters and Service Company,1st Battalion 6th Marines.
Ordered to Korea in 1950, Black joined Company H,3rd Battalion 1st Marines,1st Marine Division as the commanding officer's driver. As a private first class, he was awarded theSilver Star andBronze Star for heroic actions at the Chosin Reservoir. His brother, Albert H. Black, also served in this campaign with him.
Black returned to the United States in May 1951, and was assigned a member of the security force at Marine Barracks, Dahlgren, Virginia. He completed Recruiters School at Parris Island in July 1953, and was assigned as the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge, Recruiting Substation, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Black served as a Platoon Commander of a heavy machine gun platoon with1st Battalion 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in the Western Pacific area from August 1956 to November 1957 when he was ordered to Parris Island to attend Drill Instructor School. Upon completion of the course, he served consecutively as a juniordrill instructor, a senior drill instructor, and finally, as a chief drill instructor in the Recruit Training Regiment.
In August 1960 Black was transferred to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he served as Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Recruiting Substation for the next four years. He served as a Company First Sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division from August 1964 to November 1965, and landed with the Marines sent to theDominican Republic during that period.
Ordered toSouth Vietnam in January 1966, Black served as First Sergeant of Company A,1st Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division until February 1967. He was then assigned as First Sergeant ofCasual Company, and later, as Sergeant Major, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico. Black began his second Vietnam tour in June 1969, serving as Sergeant Major of the2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was awarded his second and third Bronze Star Medals during his tour.
Returning to the United States in April 1970, Black was assigned as Sergeant Major of the Recruiting Station in Richmond, Virginia. He remained in that billet until August 1972, when he was transferred toBremerton, Washington, as Sergeant Major of the Marine Barracks there.
Black was ordered toIwakuni, Japan, in November 1973, as Sergeant Major of the1st Marine Aircraft Wing until November 1974, when he returned to the Marine Corps Development and Education Command as Sergeant Major of that command until his selection as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Black assumed the post of 7th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on June 1, 1975.
Black died at his home inFredericksburg, Virginia, on August 24, 2012.[1]
Black's military decorations include:[2][3]
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Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Henry H. Black (MCSN: 667269), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Jeep Driver of Headquarters and Service Company, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 November 1950. Observing that a 60-mm. mortar section was rapidly exhausting its supply of ammunition during a fierce attack against his company's positions by numerically superior enemy forces, Corporal Black accompanied by a fellow Marine voluntarily completed two trips to the company ammunition dump, which had been overrun by the enemy, and returning on foot on each occasion, brought back mortar ammunition in the face of a continued enemy barrage of small arms, machine gun and mortar fire. Risking his life again, he led his companion through the enemy penetration, obtained a jeep and trailer, assisted in loading the vehicles with ammunition and boldly drove through the intense fire to his company command post. By his daring initiative, aggressive determination and courageous efforts in the face of extreme peril, Corporal Black contributed materially to the successful repulse of the attackers and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[4]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.
| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 1975–1977 | Succeeded by |
